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This Pre-Trek Acclimatization Tour can be added on to any of our Treks or Excursions. Proper acclimatization is really important before embarking on any Andean adventure. Our 4-day pre-trek acclimatization tour is carefully designed to not only help you gradually adjust to the altitude but, like all our offerings, get you off the beaten track and enjoy unique experiences that get you in touch with the real Peru.
With culture, history and markets on the menu – as well as a little bit of trekking every day – this is a great introduction to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, as well as a great trek acclimatization tour.
Note that this tour starts and ends in Cusco; we can also arrange a Lima extension if desired.
Prices are based on a Standard style of travel. Read more about our four Styles of Travel and choose the style that best suits you!
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Remember that scans of the student card (for students) or passports (for children) need to accompany the booking in order to be eligible for the discount.
Cusco can experience every season in a single day, so you should be prepared for sun and rain, cold and hot weather! We recommend a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sweater, rain gear or plastic poncho, winter hat or toque and gloves. In addition, you should bring:
You can also see What To Bring for our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack for a trek in the Andes. For more great suggestions, check out our blog about How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.
Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
Your pre-trek acclimatization tour starts as soon as you arrive to Cusco! We’ll pick you up from the airport and immediately head to the lower altitudes and warmer climes of the Sacred Valley.
First stop is our hotel, where we will check in, rest and refresh before heading out to Chichubamba where they run an agro-tourism project. There, you’ll get your hands dirty as you try out up to two of their hands-on activities, from ceramics to chocolate-making to bee-keeping and more! Read more about Chichubamba here.
Important Note: The exact itinerary depends on your arrival time. For early arrivals, we can include an extra activity and lunch for $20 per person.
Now we get way off the beaten track as we head high up into the mountains above Ollantaytambo to visit a remote Andean weaving village. After driving for about an hour, we arrive at Rumira Sondormayo, one of the traditional communities that Threads of Peru works with to revitalize traditional culture and provide economic opportunities. Here, we’ll get a chance to see the women in action as their masterful hands demonstrate the centuries-old backstrap loom weaving techniques.
After this, we’ll drive a short distance to where we’ll start today’s short hike. After enjoying our boxed lunch, we can wander among the interesting and well-preserved Pumamarca ruins. From here, we will walk back down to Ollantaytambo, rubbing shoulders with the locals who use this road for local transportation. On the way down, we will pass acres of terraces – many of which are under cultivation still today – appreciating the massive scale of the Inca Empire.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins. You can opt to spend the night in this charming Incan city or return to your previous night’s accommodations in the Sacred Valley.
Today we drive across the Sacred Valley to Pisac where we will do a great hike to help with your acclimatization. We start in the ruins high above the town, and then walk back down, exploring the various complexes as we go, taking note of the different architectural styles and marvel at the impressive engineering feats. Pisac is famous for its artisanal market – one of the largest in South America – and after the hike, we’ll have a chance to browse its labyrinthine stalls.
The market is filled with everything from textiles to jewelry, t-shirts, ceramics and more. After time to shop and have lunch, we’ll start heading back to Cusco. On the way, we’ll stop at Awanacancha, a textile interpretive centre which exhibits textiles from several local communities, demonstrating the various techniques from spinning to weaving. The best part? All the cute, fuzzy alpacas, llamas, vicuñas and guanacos on site!
From here we continue to Cusco, stopping at the edge of the city to visit Tambo Machay, Puka Pucara, Q’enqo and Sacsayhuaman. You will have a beautiful view over Cusco and towards Ausangate Mountain in the late afternoon light.
We will end the day back at the Apus Peru office in the center of town where you will have your Pre-trek Briefing. Here, you will also have the chance to browse gorgeous, all-natural, handmade textiles from our partner organization, Threads of Peru!
The last day of our Pre-Trek Acclimatization Tour is a half-day City Tour. This Cusco City Tour gives you a great orientation to the city of Cusco, so you can get a feel for the principal sites and areas of interest! This is a gentle walking tour, suitable for all fitness levels. We will pick you up at your hotel after breakfast, then visit the principal sites including Q’oricancha, the Cathedral, San Blas and San Pedro Market. The Q’oricancha (“golden enclosure”) was the most important religious centre during the Incan empire. Santo Domingo convent was built over top during colonial times, giving you a unique opportunity to explore both Inca history and colonial history simultaneously.
From here, we walk through the city’s narrow and winding streets until we reach the artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Home to many of the traditional artisan families of Cusco, San Blas is filled with small galleries and workshops where works of art can be purchased or commissioned, including religious carvings.
We then continue on to San Pedro Market, the first produce market in the city. From tropical fruits and flowers brought up from the jungle, to medicinal plants, locally produced cheeses, breads and fresh meats, this market will awaken all of your senses while showing you a slice of true Cusqueñan life.
Our last stop will be Cusco’s main square or Plaza de Armas which has been the city’s gathering point since the time of the Inca. Here your guide will show you where you can find banks, laundry, or pick up a poncho before your trek, and can show you some of the city’s not to be missed restaurants where you can savour some of Peru’s world-renowned cuisine.
Time permitting, you will also visit the Cathedral which dates to 1560. You’ll learn all about its construction, and also the incredible collection of art it houses, including 300 paintings of the Cusqueña School.
It more than met our expectations. We enjoyed meeting local people in the chocolate making, pottery and weaving community. Our driver Ever was wonderful, he cleaned the van every time we got out & was a super safe driver making us feel less anxious about the “crazy drivers” around us. We love Ever.
